Pharmaceutical Executive
Many more high-risk patients could benefit from statin therapy than currently receive the cholesterol-lowering drugs, according to a major UK study set up by the Medical Research Council and the British Heart Foundation.
Many more high-risk patients could benefit from statin therapy than currently receive the cholesterol-lowering drugs, according to a major UK study set up by the Medical Research Council and the British Heart Foundation. Patients given Merck's Zocor (simvastatin) were 33 percent less likely to develop stroke, myocardial infarction, or revascularization, even if their blood cholesterol levels were normal or low.
More than 20,000 adults with coronary or other occlusive arterial disease or diabetes took simvastatin or placebo for five years. The study results, published in the Lancet, indicate that five years of treatment would prevent 70–100 people in a thousand from experiencing a major vascular event. Long-term statin use was also shown to be safe, with no significant adverse effects related to liver toxicity, cancer, or other non-vascular hospital admissions.
The study's authors have called for new prescribing guidelines, so that all those at risk of cardiovascular events would be eligible for long-term statin therapy, including other products such as Merck's Mevacor (lovastatin), Bristol-Myers Squibbs' Pravachol (pravastatin), Novartis' Lescol (fluvastatin), and Pfizer's Lipitor (atorvastatin). A significant increase in the number of patients taking statins would lead to a dramatic increase in prescription expenditures, but the cost would be offset against the savings resulting from fewer hospitalizations.
Young & Partners Pharmaceutical Executive Summit 2024: Brave New World – Where Are We Heading?
October 23rd 2024Peter Marks, director, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA, presented the keynote presentation on the future of gene therapy as part of the 20th Annual Young & Partners Pharmaceutical Executive Summit held at the Yale Club of New York.
The Transformative Role of Medical Information in Customer Engagement
October 3rd 2024Stacey Fung, Head of Global Medical Information at Gilead Lifesciences, delves into the evolving role of Medical Information (MI) in the pharmaceutical industry. Covering key topics like patient engagement through omnichannel strategies, combating misinformation, and leveraging AI to enhance medical inquiries, the conversation with Stacey highlights MI's critical role in ensuring patient safety and supporting drug development. She also shares her professional journey and tidbits for early career professionals on professional development.
Unlocking value and cost savings in patient services with technology and talent
October 2nd 2024Traci Miller, Director, Sonexus™ Access and Patient Support, Cardinal Health, discusses the current digital trends in the patient services industry and how the optimal balance of technology and talent can transform manufacturer-sponsored patient support programs. Hear how Cardinal Health combines best-in-class program and pharmacy operations with smart digital tools to ensure product and patient success and reduce operational costs.